Police officers deployed in Spain’s North African enclave of Ceuta are reportedly working in severely overcrowded conditions, with dozens of officers forced to share a single bathroom as authorities struggle to cope with the ongoing border crisis.
Police unions have criticised the conditions faced by officers in Ceuta, claiming that up to 70 officers are sharing one bathroom, while as many as eight officers are being forced to sleep in a single room.
The complaints come after Spain dramatically increased its security presence in the enclave following an unprecedented mass crossing from Morocco at the end of July.
Around 72,000 migrants entered Ceuta during the mass influx, according to Spanish government figures, with most crossing by swimming or using other routes across the border. At least 67 deaths were initially reported by Spanish authorities, although later figures varied.
The huge influx placed enormous pressure on Ceuta’s already limited infrastructure, while thousands of migrants remained in the territory struggling to access food, water, shelter and sanitation.
Spain subsequently sent hundreds of additional security personnel to the enclave. More than 500 extra officers were deployed, taking the number of police and security personnel in Ceuta to more than 1,600.
The increased deployment has itself created another problem: where to house all the officers.
Police representatives have now raised concerns about overcrowded accommodation, inadequate facilities and the impact the conditions could have on officers who are expected to remain on high alert.
2026-08-19 01:22:00
